The potential legalization of casinos, bingo, jogo de bicho, and betting on horseracing in Brazil is a hot topic in the industry, with many feeling confident that regulation will soon become a reality. The bill in question, PL 2,234/2022, has been making its way through the legislative process, with recent developments indicating that a vote could be imminent.
The bill, which was approved by the Justice and Citizenship Committee in June by a narrow margin, has been awaiting a vote by the full senate. Despite delays in the process, there is now a sense of urgency to move forward with the vote. Senator Irajá Abreu has been vocal in pushing for the legalization of land-based gambling activities, stating that he has the necessary support to make it happen.
In an interview with Poder360, Iraja expressed his confidence in the bill, saying, “The text is ready to be assessed and voted on. I am convinced that we already have the votes to approve the project, which is important for Brazil.” This sentiment is echoed by industry leaders like Alex Pariente of Hard Rock International, who believes that now is the right time for Brazil to regulate land-based casinos.
Pariente emphasized the need for a coherent law to protect both businesses and bettors in the industry, noting that with unregulated gambling already prevalent, formalizing the sector is crucial. He also highlighted the support for the bill from key figures like Minister of Finance Fernando Haddad and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, indicating a strong foundation for its potential passage.
Despite some concerns over the narrow approval of the bill in June, Aposta Ganha’s Hugo Baungartner is optimistic about the upcoming senate vote. He pointed out that the previous vote was within a specific commission, whereas the upcoming vote will involve the entire senate, potentially leading to a different outcome.
“Now, going to the whole senate, it might be different. I think we have more votes in favor than against,” Baungartner said, highlighting the increasing momentum behind the push for legalized gambling in Brazil. With stakeholders across the board expressing support for the bill, the future of land-based gambling in the country looks promising.
